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People are driving force behind event

An article on May 8, “Main Street asks city for $33K” needs clarification. I agree with Commissioner Considine that Dixon Main Street plays a vital role in downtown development.

While Mayor Burke cites Second Saturdays as an example of Main Street impact, I need to clarify that Second Saturdays is not a Main Street-funded event. Second Saturdays is a community driven and funded event designed to promote small businesses and cultural groups within the downtown district.

From its inception, Second Saturdays has been organized, funded and run by a core group of small business owners and cultural people. While this core supports Main Street and works cooperatively with that entity to spur positive downtown development, it is not a part of Dixon Main Street proper. It is funded by the community through a benefit, Chilifest, at Distinctive Gardens, and by an annual fee paid by the small businesses in downtown that participate each month.

I raise this clarification because it is the people of our community who are the driving force behind Second Saturdays. The people who deserve credit for its success are the hardworking small business owners who host, the cultural community of artists and musicians who participate, and the people who attend. These people create Second Saturdays impact. The council needs accurate facts to make an informed decision.

As the council determines sound allocation of taxpayer dollars, I hope they factor the strong and ongoing contribution that Dixon Main Street offers in downtown revitalization.

While mindful, not all groups actively engaged are benefactors of those monies, nor do they seek such support. Indeed, some of the strongest driving energy to revitalize the downtown is coming from the people themselves.